Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Nevan Elam has served as a member of the Savara Board since February 2009. Mr. Elam is currently the President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of AntriaBio, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel extended release therapies. Prior to his tenure at AntiraBio which began in October 2012, Mr. Elam served for three years as the Chief Executive Officer and President of AeroSurgical Ltd., a medical device company operating out of Ireland. Prior to his service with AeroSurgical Ltd., Mr. Elam was Head of the Pulmonary Business Unit and Senior Vice President of Nektar Therapeutics. Earlier in his career he was a founder and Chief Financial Officer of E2open as well as a Partner in the corporate practice of the law firm of WSGR. In addition to serving on the AntriaBio Board of Directors, he also serves on the Board of Directors of pH Pharmaceuticals in Seoul, Korea. Mr. Elam received his Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School and a Bachelors of Arts from Howard University. Savara believes Mr. Elam’s broad experience with pharmaceutical companies, including advising them of their unique legal and regulatory obligations, qualifies him to serve on the Savara Board.

Richard J. Hawkins has served as a member of the Savara Board since October 2010. Since September 2010, Mr. Hawkins has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Lumos Pharma, Inc., a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on bringing novel therapies to patients with severe, rare, and genetic diseases, whose medical needs are unmet. From 2000 to 2010, Mr. Hawkins, founded and advised numerous pharmaceutical companies including Sensus, where he served as co-founder and Chairman until being sold to Pfizer. From 1981 to 2000, Mr. Hawkins was founder, President and CEO of Pharmaco and guided the company’s growth to over 2,000 employees. The company later merged with PPD of Wilmington, NC to form PPD Pharmaco, one of the largest clinical contract research organizations in the world. Mr. Hawkins received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ohio University. Savara believes Mr. Hawkins’s experience in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries as well as his broad management experience qualify him to serve on the Savara Board.

Joseph S. McCracken has served as a member of the Savara Board since October 2013 and currently advises biopharmaceutical companies on the design and implementation of corporate strategy and business development initiatives. Joe also serves on the boards of several biopharmaceutical companies, including Alkahest, Inc., and Regimmune Inc. From July 2011 to September 2013, Dr. McCracken was Vice President and Global Head of Business Development & Licensing for Roche Pharma, a research-focused healthcare company, where he was responsible for Roche Pharma’s global in-licensing and out-licensing activities. From October 2009 until July 2011 he was General Manager, Roche Pharma Japan & Asia Regional Head, Roche Partnering. Prior to joining Roche Pharma, Dr. McCracken held the position of Vice President, Business Development at Genentech for more than 10 years, and previously held similar positions at Aventis Pharma and Rhone-Poulenc Rorer. Dr. McCracken holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, a Master of Science in Pharmacology and a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University. Savara believes Dr. McCracken’s extensive experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries qualifies him to serve on the Savara Board.

Robert Neville has served as Savara’s CEO and Chairman since he co-founded the company in June 2008. From January 2003 to December 2004, he served as managing director of Clockwise Consulting, where he worked with the Texas Children’s Hospital and the Baylor College of Medicine to develop an ICU-based monitoring and diagnostic device. From June 2000 to December 2002, he served as Vice President of Engineering at BMC Software where he oversaw the integration and expansion of the product line based on the acquisition of his previous company. From June 1998 to May 2000, Mr. Neville served as co-founder and CEO of Evity, Inc. where he led the development of the company until its acquisition by BMC Software. Based on his work at Savara and Evity, Mr. Neville was honored as a two-time finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award. Mr. Neville holds a post-graduate Engineering degree from the University of Natal South Africa.

Matthew Pauls has served as a member of the Savara Board since April 2017, and was previously both a member and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Mast Therapeutics, Inc from October, 2015 until April, 2017. Mr. Pauls brings more than 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including senior leadership roles in a broad spectrum of operational areas and significant experience in new product launches, commercial and technical operations, as well as clinical development, with a specific focus on orphan drug candidates. Mr. Pauls currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer and on the Board of Directors of Strongbridge Biopharma plc (NASDAQ: SBBP), a biopharmaceutical company focused on therapies that target rare diseases. Prior to joining Strongbridge, Mr. Pauls was Chief Commercial Officer of Insmed, Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company focused on rare respiratory diseases. Prior to Insmed, Mr. Pauls served as Senior Vice President, Head of Global Commercial Operations at Shire Pharmaceuticals, a global specialty biopharmaceutical company. Earlier in his career, Mr. Pauls held senior positions at Bristol-Myers Squibb in Brand Management and Payor Marketing, and at Johnson & Johnson in various U.S. and global commercial roles. Mr. Pauls holds B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Central Michigan University and a J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law.

Yuri Pikover has served as a member of the Savara Board since October 2013. Since 1999 Mr. Pikover served as Managing Director of 37Ventures, a boutique venture fund focusing on growing early-stage startups. From 1999-2002 Mr. Pikover was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Access360. From 1993 to 1999, Mr. Pikover was co-founder and Executive Vice President of Xylan and helped lead the fast growing organization going public in 1996 and acquisition by Alcatel in 1999. Savara believes Mr. Pikover’s extensive experience as an investor and board member in pharmaceutical and life sciences companies and his knowledge gained from service on such boards qualify him to be a member of the Mast Board.

Mr. Ramsay has served on our Board of Directors since June 2011. Mr. Ramsay retired from Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: HALO) in July 2015, where he served as Chief Financial Officer since May 2013 and from 2003 to May 2009. He also served as Halozyme’s Vice President, Corporate Development from May 2009 to May 2013. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Ramsay was Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Lathian Systems, Inc., a provider of technology-based sales solutions for the life science industry. From 1998 to 2000, he was with Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (formerly ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), where he served as Vice President, Treasurer and Director, Corporate Finance. Mr. Ramsay began his career at Deloitte & Touche, where he obtained his CPA license. Mr. Ramsay holds a B.S. in business administration from the University of California, Berkeley and a M.B.A. with a dual major in finance and strategic management from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.